Molten Strike Juggernaut Build Guide (PoE Sentinel 3.18)

Introduction

Due to the latest balancing changes, we do not recommend playing this build anymore, as it does not meet the high standards we apply to our guides in terms of fun and performance. We are leaving it up as a reference and it might be revived in a later patch.

Molten Strike is a skill that likes to stand and deliver. By stacking extreme amounts of Attack Speed and bonus projectiles, Molten Strike can melt through bosses like a hot knife through butter. To back up our potent single target, Juggernauts are an immovable object that can face tank virtually everything. With 90% Physical Damage reduction, increased maximum Resistances via Loreweave, heaps of Chaos Resistance from our dual Nebulochs, and powerful Life Regeneration and Life Leech, this build isn’t afraid to take a beating as it dishes out its damage.

Build Assessment

Pros & Cons

Pros

+ Extreme durability; 90% Physical Damage reduction, 78% Maximum Resistances, high Chaos Resistance, very high Regeneration and Leech, additional defenses from dual-wielding Nebuloch

+ Good lab farmer

+ Hardcore viable

Cons

– Top end damage is low, end-game bosses can take a bit of time to kill

– End-game gear is expensive

Path of Building

Path of Building data for this build can be found here.

Included in the Path of Building are skill trees, all gem links and possible variations, and an example set of gear with room for upgrades. For simplicity’s sake, Elemental Resistances are not included on gear, and you can fill them in as you like depending on available gear.

We use the Path of Building Community Fork for all of our builds, which is highly recommended. If you are encountering errors importing the build, please ensure you are using the Community Fork.

Playstyle and Build Mechanics

Our Molten Strike Juggernaut can land in the middle of any pack without fear, instantly removing all nearby enemies with just a swing or two. Layers of defensive mitigation will gives this build the confidence to play with extreme aggression, allowing the player the freedom to tank many mechanics in order to dish out more damage. For example, bosses such as the one in Maze of the Minotaur Map can be easily tanked without any issues. Both Endurance Charges and Frenzy charges — via Blood Rage — are utilized to further empower the build as it Leap Slams around the area.

With decent end-game gear, this build has plenty of surplus regeneration to deal with incoming damage. Add some Life Leech on top of that and any damage that is slipping past our defenses is being instantly negated, adding further cushion to play with.

Passive Skill Tree

Click here for our recommended Level 83 Passive Skill Tree.

This is a good starting point with room to expand and/or make use of clusters, as shown in the POB.

For more details on the Passive Tree, an earlier game version, skill acquisition order, and more, be sure to check out the Passive Skill Tree section for in-depth information.

Passive Skill Tree

Ascendancy, Bandits, and Pantheons

Our Ascendancy, Bandit, and Pantheon Power page goes into detail about all the choices you need to make in these regards.

Ascendancy, Bandits, Pantheons Page

Gem Links

We go over all of the gem links this build uses in the end-game on our Gem Link page.

Gem Links

Gear Summary / TL;DR

These items strike a balance between power and cost-effectiveness. If you want to explore more options for Gear (both budget and high-end), Flasks, or get more information on alternatives and specialty items, please ensure you read the Gear, Jewels, and Flasks section in its entirety.

Gear, Jewels, and Flasks

Our recommendation:

Item Slot	Item Name
Head	Rare Royal Burgonet or Eternal Burgonet (with +2 Projectiles enchantment)
Amulet	Xoph's Blood
Chest	Loreweave
Gloves	Rare Gripped Gloves
Belt	Rare Stygian Vise
Weapon	2x Nebuloch

This build utilizes Cluster Jewels and is also heavily reliant on standard jewels to scale damage, so it is highly recommended you thoroughly read the Gear, Jewels, and Flasks section.

Gear, Jewels, and Flasks

Leveling

As a reminder, we have several guides to help you level up a character.

• Our step-by-step leveling walkthrough, which allows even more experienced players to save time and speed through the leveling process.
• Our guide to Unique Items for leveling, which helps you gear up your characters for the leveling process.
• Our beginner leveling guide, which answers many of the questions new players might have and will set you on the right path.

The Molten Strike Juggernaut can be leveled with its signature skill since level 1. Brutus' Lead Sprinkler and Tabula Rasa are extremely useful leveling items if you have access to them, and can make the leveling experience one of the smoothest available.

Leveling Trees

Here is an example of the early skill tree. Pick up the Jewel socket as soon as possible so you can socket in your threshold Jewel, which will make Molten Strike that much stronger. Then go for Iron Grip and Point Blank, these two keystone notables will immensely increase your damage.

Note: For endgame passive skill tree, please refer to the passive tree section.

Useful Leveling Uniques

As you begin a new character there are few unique items that can boost your power exponentially. Tabula Rasa allows you to have a 6-Linked skill as early as you get the gems. Wanderlust gives a decent movement speed, which will make your leveling that much more efficient. Goldrim provides a lot of elemental resistances, this will let you worry less about gearing when approaching certain Act encounters. Dual-wielding two The Screaming Eagle axes will carry you up to level 28, when you can equip Brutus' Lead Sprinkler.

Gem Progression

Using Tabula Rasa will allow you to have 6-Link gem setups early on, which is why we show such examples below. If you cannot get Tabula Rasa (or another item with a 6-Link), then simply prioritize the first gems in each link provided below.

In order to acquire gems that are not available to your class as a quest reward, simply ask a friend to buy them off vendors for you, or buy them yourself from Siosa in The Library in Act III Library.

From level 1, you should use the following link.

1. Molten Strike
2. ###item:onslaught-support###

At level 4, you should add Ancestral Protector for additional single target damage. At this point your Molten Strike link should look like this.

1. Molten Strike
2. ###item:onslaught-support###
3. Maim Support
4. Ancestral Call Support

At level 10, add Leap Slam for additional mobility.

At level 16, add Herald of Ash for additional damage. Ancestral Cry is the Warcry you should start using all the time at this point.

By level 18, your Molten Strike link should look like this.

1. Molten Strike
2. Lesser Multiple Projectiles Support
3. Elemental Damage with Attacks Support
4. Elemental Focus Support
5. Melee Physical Damage Support
6. Concentrated Effect Support

At level 24, you should add Anger for additional damage.

Once you have Brutus' Lead Sprinkler equipped and you ascend into Unflinching, you can replace Melee Physical Damage Support with Endurance Charge on Melee Stun Support or Greater Multiple Projectiles Support at level 38.

FAQ

I cannot sustain the burn from two Nebuloch maces since I do not have the rings yet, but the damage with Brutus' Lead Sprinkler sucks for maps, what should I do?

What Anoint should we go for?

Divine Judgement is a solid damage boost. If you are not using Loreweave you can also go for Anointed Flesh.

Conclusion

The Molten Strike Juggernaut is a top-tier endgame boss killer. There are very few other builds that can achieve this amount of damage mitigation while also having the damage to bring down the toughest bosses the game has to offer.